Asking for a decrease in Rent

tbs624

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

If I were your landlord and you asked for a rent-reduction when we both know that the rent is a fair one I'd tell you to naff off. However, the possibility of a void-period between tenants might concentrate your landlord's mind somewhat, especially if it's well-known in the neighbourhood about the problems you've had. It's all a gamble.

Fair comment and T also needs to think about the costs to him of finding somewhere new if he were to be served a S21 - spurious new admin fees, credit check fees plus actual costs of removal and the "hassle factor". Much depends on the method of negotiation, as elsewhere in life

poppysarah

Alert your landlord of the problems now...

That way when you ask for a reduction he's had some time to ponder the possibility of a void when you leave.

102091101

Thanks for the posts, food for thought.

Tulip09

I'm going to ask my landlord for a decrease in rent next month only buy a little bit though. (i'm not greedy though) I have had to fix repairs to his boiler myself as he is on holiday for 3 months abroad and cant be contacted and the estate agent people couldn't authorise the work apparently although i had no hot water and no heating over the snow period . The estate agent came to visit with his thermometer when it was minus 2 -4 in the living room and still couldn't do anything except suggest we booked a hotel (lmao) I live in the sticks and cant afford hotels in this area but we managed anyway. I have secured funding for insulation throughout the house & draft proofing to the doors and the boiler work for 2 years up to the value of 6K, and i have arranged for 2 carpets to be fitted that he has not got round to yet so im hoping he wont be a bit put out and refuse to re compensate me for the carpets and boiler repair.

I wouldn't be asking for an increase for problems happening that are out with his control tbh. It isnt his fault really and i think you are kind of abusing your landlord by asking and trying to cash in on some bad things happening in his/your neighbourhood.

Alias_Omega

I think every tenant has he right to ask for a decrease in rent, as does the landlord have the right to increase the rent.

Alias

mirrorimage0

i personally would refuse if my tenant asked for rent to be lowered, and be offended i think, but the rent i charge is very reasonable even the letting agents keep telling me to put it up every time renewal comes around but in my mind if i have a good tenant (which i do) then why rock the boat and have them struggle to afford it. i would consider coming to an arrangement if they maybe had financial troubles for a month or two to keep them in the long term but i would not reduce the monthly rent long term at all.

Meatballs

It's like asking for a pay raise. If you find a job offer that fit your skills paying a lot more then you can use it as leverage with your boss. Likewise if you find a house of the same standard as yours but at a lower monthly rate...

tbs624

mirrorimage0 wrote: »

/// even the letting agents keep telling me to put it up every time renewal comes around..

Well, they would wouldnt they - they get commission on that rental figure, plus they get to charge you and the T a fat little fee each for doing the necessary paperwork.

mirrorimage0

lol yes fair point. but they have pointed out to me that they also have another flat in the same block just as nice as mine which rents for £60 more a month and that im losing out, but like i said the way i see it is i have a great tenant and would like to keep them.

dlk

I can't see any harm in asking as long as you do so nicely.

I wouldn't start listing all the problems if I were you, just politely ask if there is any chance of a reduction in exchange for signing a longer tenancy etc.

I recently did similar and had my rent reduced from £650 to £600 as we've been good tenants for the past two years and he probably didnt want the hassle of finding new tenants so thought he'd keep me happy.

As well as me renting a place I also own three properties I rent out. To be honest I would say no if you came to me simply because one is a shared house so if I reduce for one I'd have to reduce everyones rent, one is a housing benefit tenant so there's no reason for them to ask for a reduction and although the final tenant is the perfect tenant she's been there for 7 years now and probably paying about £50pm under market rent already.

It depends on the landlord and his position really but there's no harm in asking